WATCH LIVE: WI Women v NZ Women

published by ikhan on Sun, 10/06/2013 - 03:54

Jamaica Observer article.

Kingston, Jamaica - There are doubts about the form of the West Indies women's team ahead of the One-Day International (ODI) series against visitors New Zealand, but the home side's coach, Sherwin Campbell, is expecting improvements.

The opening match of the series gets under way 9:00 am today at Sabina Park in Kingston.

Campbell, who was speaking after last Wednesday's loss to a Jamaica Under-17 male team in a 50-overs-a-side preparation match, expressed confidence that the batting, in particular, will get better.

"The batters didn't get too much out of the game, but I am sure they will get better," said the former West Indies opener.

"There were too many soft dismissals, and we would have to address that because players need to bat as long as possible in this format," Campbell added.

The hosts, captained by Merissa Aguilleira, have the potential to do some damage with the likes of the consistent batter and world's number one all-rounder Stafanie Taylor and the big-hitting Deandra Dottin.

Seamer Shakera Selman and off-spinner Anisa Mohammed are expected to lead the bowling attack.

The fancied New Zealanders also possess batting firepower and can depend on skipper Suzie Bates, who is the world's top-ranked ODI batter, as well as Amy Satterthwaite.

The Kiwis came out victorious in their lone practice game and the 26-year-old Bates is hoping her team adapts to the foreign conditions "sooner than later".

"The weather is very different back at home.

"(With) only one warm-up match, hopefully we can adapt and hopefully we can learn sooner than later how to play over here," Bates said.

The teams meet again at Sabina Park on Tuesday before closing out the series on Thursday.

The West Indies will then take on Ashes-winners England and New Zealand in a Twenty20 (T20) tri-nation series in Barbados from October 14-26.